Marble Calf
To create the effect of marble calf the binder stains the surface of a light-colored calfskin with diluted acid. The use of diluted acid can create a variety of effects. One special variation of this technique is known as 'tree calf,' named for the visual image created on the surface of the leather of a tree trunk and spreading branches. Marble calf bindings reached great popularity during the nineteenth century. Marble calf should not be confused with marbling, the process of using color inks or paints to create decorative patterns on a variety of surfaces including leather, paper, and cloth.
Year: 1804
Reference: Casiano Pellicer. Tratado Histórico Sobre el Orígen y Progresos de la Comedia y del Histrionismo en España. Madrid: En la Imprenta de la Administración del Real Arbitrio de Beneficencia, 1804. 230 p. 15 x 10.5 cm.
Description: Bound in marble calf, with gilt ornaments and fillets on spine. Brown leather spine label with gilt lettering. Edges stained yellow.
Catalog Record: Not available
Year: 1775
Reference: Richard Glover (1712-1785). The Evidence Delivered on the Petition Presented by the West-India Planters and Merchants to the Hon. House of Commons... [London: s.n., 1775]. 95 p. 18.5 x 11.5 cm.
Description: Bound in marble calf with a double gilt fillet border and corner ornaments on covers. Gilt lettering and fillets on spine. Gilt decorative roll on turn-ins.
Catalog Record: https://miami-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/16oedga/01UOML_ALMA21221799180002976
Year: 1792
Reference: Luis Galvez de Montalvo (1546?-1591?). El Pastor de Filida... En Valencia: En la oficina de la Salvador Fauli, 1792. 389 p. 18.5 x 11.5 cm.
Description: Tree calf binding with gilt spine decorations and fillets. Red leather spine label with gilt lettering. Edges stained red.
Catalog Record: https://miami-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/16oedga/01UOML_ALMA21216582290002976
Year: 1820
Reference: [Beaumont de Brivazac, comte de, 1746-1821]. L'Europe et ses Colonies, en 34 Décembre 1819. A Paris: Chez Brissot-Thivars [et chez] Delaunay, 1820. v. l, 385 p. 21 x 13 cm.
Description: Bound in marble calf with single blind-stamped fillet border on covers. Rebacked. Gilt spine ornaments. Red and green leather spine labels with gilt lettering. Marbled edges.
Catalog Record: https://miami-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/16oedga/01UOML_ALMA21173112870002976
Year: 1793
Reference: Charles James Fox (1749-1806). A Letter from the Right Honourable Charles James Fox, to the Worthy and Independent Electors of the City and Liberty of Westminster. The thirteenth edition. London: Printed for J. Debrett, 1793. 43 p. 21 x 13.5 cm.
Description: Tree calf binding with double gilt fillet borders on covers. Gilt spine ornaments and fillets on spine. Red leather spine label with title in gilt. Gilt fillet on turn-ins. Red speckled edges.
Signed binding. Binder's stamp: Bound by Hering.
Binder: Hering
Catalog Record: https://miami-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/lrv5ko/01UOML_ALMA21205210710002976
Year: 1820
Reference: [Beaumont de Brivazac, comte de, 1746-1821]. L'Europe et ses Colonies, en 34 Décembre 1819. A Paris: Chez Brissot-Thivars [et chez] Delaunay, 1820. v. 2. 21 x 13 cm.
Description: Bound in marble calf with single blind-stamped fillet border on covers. Rebacked. Gilt spine ornaments. Red and green leather spine labels with gilt lettering. Marbled edges.
Catalog Record: https://miami-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/16oedga/01UOML_ALMA21173112870002976
